Information for family members with an increased risk for a genetic disease

After a genetic diagnosis a physician might deem it important to inform family members of his counselee who might have an increased risk of having a certain genetic predisposition. Against this background this contribution analyzes the following ethical questions: 1. To what extent is the physician...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inDeutsche medizinische Wochenschrift Vol. 131; no. 11; p. 573
Main Author Gordijn, B
Format Journal Article
LanguageGerman
Published Germany 17.03.2006
Subjects
Disclosure - ethics
Ethics, Clinical
Ethics, Medical
Genetic Counseling - ethics
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Genetic Testing
Humans
Patient Rights - ethics
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Summary:After a genetic diagnosis a physician might deem it important to inform family members of his counselee who might have an increased risk of having a certain genetic predisposition. Against this background this contribution analyzes the following ethical questions: 1. To what extent is the physician ethically obligated to see to it that the family members are being informed? 2. Are there circumstances under which the physician is ethically allowed to violate his obligation of confidentiality? 3. Is it ethically allowed to refuse a genetic test when the counselee does not agree with informing family members even if this might clearly be in their interest? 4. Is it ethically allowed to inform family members about an increased risk of a genetic predisposition in the family without their explicit request?
ISSN:0012-0472